AN Indian's walk. 100 



an Indian or half-breed and our own. We had before 

 observed that, when apparently sauntering quietly 

 along, they went past us with the greatest ease, even 

 w^hen we flattered ourselves we were going at a very 

 respectable pace. This was now, in a great measure, 

 explained. In walking in the snow, in Indian file, we 

 observed La Eonde's great length of stride ; and 

 Cheadle, in particular, who prided himself upon his 

 walking powers, was much chagrined to find that he 

 could not tread in La Eonde's footsteps without 

 springing from one to the next. Afterwards he dis- 

 covered that his longest stride was only just equal to 

 that of the little Misquapamayoo ! 



The superiority of the Indian in this respect 

 doubtless results from the habitual use of moccasins, 

 which allow full play to the elastic bend of the foot. 

 This is impeded by the stiif sole of an ordinar}^ boot. 

 The muscles of an Indian's foot are so developed, that 

 it appears plump and chubby as that of a child. 

 Misquapamayoo continually derided the scraggy ap- 

 pearance of our pedal extremities, and declared there 

 must be something very faulty in their original con- 

 struction. 



The unerring fidelity with which our guide 

 followed a straight com'se in ^one direction in the 

 dense forest, where no landmarks could be seen, in days 

 when the sun was not visible, nor a breath of air 

 stirring, seemed to us almost incomprehensible. La 

 Eonde was unable to explain the power which he 

 possessed, and considered it as quite a natural faculty. 

 Cheadle, on the other hand, found it quite impossible 



